Executive Summary
- High voter turnout was reported in Bihar’s Seemanchal region during the second phase of assembly elections, held under a statewide security alert.
- Katihar district recorded an average polling percentage of 78.88%, with the Pranpur constituency reaching 81.01%.
- Key contests are underway in the region, including one involving former deputy CM Tarkishore Prasad in Katihar and multi-candidate races in Kishanganj.
The second phase of the Bihar assembly elections saw a significant voter turnout in the Seemanchal region on Tuesday, occurring under a statewide high-security alert issued after a blast in Delhi. Districts in the region, including Katihar and Kishanganj, reported notably high participation rates, with some constituencies seeing polling percentages exceed 80%.
Katihar district led the turnout with an average of 78.88%, followed closely by Kishanganj at 77.97%, Purnia at 75.79%, Supaul at 70.69%, and Araria at 67.79%. Within Katihar, the Pranpur constituency recorded the highest polling at 81.01%. The district is also the site of a key contest for the Katihar Sadar assembly seat, where former deputy Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad is seeking a fifth term.
In Kishanganj, the only Muslim-majority district in Bihar, all four constituencies reported strong voter engagement. The Thakurganj constituency saw the highest turnout in the district at 80.68%. The area is a focal point of the election due to intense competition, including a triangular contest in the Kishanganj constituency among candidates from the BJP, Congress, and AIMIM.
The high level of voter participation across the Seemanchal region highlights significant civic engagement, even as authorities maintained heightened security protocols throughout the state. The results from these constituencies are expected to be critical in determining the final composition of the state assembly.